How good was Calzaghe's best performance? (How good was Calzaghe at his very best?)

Right, here's my go at answering the thread question:-

...best performance against best performance by an opponent was v. Kessler, no doubt. I agree with Pharaoh; Kessler did adjust to Calzaghe's style, as he thought Calzaghe would fight, based on Calzaghe's usual style. The great thing about Calzaghe's performance was not only that he adjusted to Kessler's adjustment (outsmarting him tactically from the get-go, coming with an even better jab than Kessler!!!) but that when Kessler adjusted in the mid rounds to Calzaghe's adjustment, Calzaghe managed to readjust again! The fact that by the last round Kessler came back strong with another readjustment confirmed that although Calzaghe was better, the fight was close and competitive.

So...Kessler...how good was his performance? Well, it was the best he's ever put in, no doubt. He adjusted coming in into the fight and readjusted twice more by the end. Someone who can do that as well as that has to be at least B+. In fact, I think, that performance was A-, but not more, because Kessler couldn't bring himself to lay it all on the line - he was held back by something. Although he adjusted well, he didn't do so quickly enough. Still, a solid A- performance, I would say.

Now, Calzaghe...the fact that he outsmarted Kessler from the get-go and managed to stay one step ahead at all times against him, the fact that he came in with an amazing jab and the fact that he went toe-to-toe against him in the last round when he could have just boxed to stay out of trouble...well...that wasn't just an A- or A- to A level performance, but a full A level performance, in my opinion. Calzaghe was very good indeed.

So, why not A to A+ or even A+, then?

Some people talked about his performance against Lacy...no; I'm not buying it. Calzaghe didn't have to have been better than A- to do that to Lacy, given their respective styles and difference in class.That was an easy fight for him; it showed.

To me, an A to A+ performance...well, he would have had to have dominated Kessler more or Kessler would have had to have performed at better than A- level, which he didn't, IMO.

An A+ level performance? I cannot see how...A+ level performances are those legendary signature fights between prime proven elites on their best night...not the case here...

So...I would go with "A". :good

 

e.g. Duran v. Leonard, Leonard v. Hagler, Leonard v. Hearns, Hagler v. Hearns, Morales v. Barerra 1, ...stuff like that.